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Bwenawa brought my attention to two wooden planks raised…

“Bwenawa brought my attention to two wooden planks raised about four feet above the ground. On the ledges were lagoon fish sliced open and lying in the sun, the carcasses just visible through an enveloping blizzard of flies. "You see, " said Bwenawa. "The water dries in the sun, leaving the salt…” quote by J. Maarten Troost
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“Bwenawa brought my attention to two wooden planks raised about four feet above the ground. On the ledges were lagoon fish sliced open and lying in the sun, the carcasses just visible through an enveloping blizzard of flies. "You see, " said Bwenawa. "The water dries in the sun, leaving the salt. It's kang-kang [tasty]. We call it salt fish." "Ah," I said. "In my country we call it rotten fish.”

J. Maarten Troost

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Observing strange food customs reveals cultural differences and the subjectivity of taste.

In simple terms: Food customs differ across cultures.

Key Takeaway

Respect and explore unfamiliar traditions.

Themes

culture food perception

Mood

curious reflective

Type

travel anthropology

When to use this quote

  • travel
  • culinary tourism
  • cross‑cultural exchange

Key Concepts

anthropology subjectivity adaptation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What assumptions do you make about foreign foods?
  • How can you stay open to new experiences?
A Different Perspective

Taste is personal; not all foods are appealing.

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